Whirlwind week

Like a naughty schoolgirl I have been neglecting my homework! (Although this blog is much more of a pleasure than homework ever was, but anyway, I haven't been keeping you up to date lately. Sorry)

Last week was the first Little Luxuries Network meeting, and Emma & I were energised by the enthusiasm shown by the members joining us. We ran massively overtime because everyone had so much to say. It was like nobody had ever asked them what they wanted or needed, which validates our view that party plan & mobile businesses need business support. They may be micro-businesses, but they add so much to the economy it is criminal to ignore them.

Today I was honoured to have been asked to attend the launch of Bombshell Academy, the most amazing coaching/styling company. Based in Cambridgeshire, and run by two absolutely lovely women, Bombshell Academy helps you to be the you that you want to be.

8 women went on a journey today, and I saw them each develop a glow of confidence. By the end of the day they were radiant, and it was wonderful to have helped to style them by providing shoes to enhance the beautiful gowns they wore. The each deserved to be called a bombshell - dropdead gorgeous in their own unique ways.

New Networking event

If you run a party plan or mobile business, you know how tough it is. Working largely solo, constantly having to generate appointments and parties - it can wear you down.

That's why Little Luxuries are launching a networking group especially in these industries. Getting together, sharing what works, discussing how to do things better, hearing from knowledgeable speakers on subjects that will help boost your business - what's not to like?!

The first meeting is on Friday morning - 7th August - at the Three Horseshoes in Norton, Letchworth (Hertfordshire). It costs just £15 to attend, and that includes a buffet brunch. You can come along twice before you need to commit to joining the network - and that costs just £50 to cover admin costs. Meetings are timed to avoid the school run, and are informal and friendly.

Take a look at the website and get involved!

Networking week!

This week I have been to 3 different types of business networking event and met lots of interesting people. I thought a brief overview of the different kinds of events might be useful for those of you thinking you should take the plunge (and you really should!)

The first event was the resurrection of the 1st Tuesday evenings of the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses. Held at a country pub/hotel in a function room, there were about 30m business people there. The format was informal, with it left up to you to dive in and network over a drink and buffet. If you are new to networking, this could be pretty intimidating - a bit like Fresher's Week at university! Luckily the branch committee are aware of this and made a point of introducing people to others that they had something in common with.

I got talking to two lovely ladies - Melanie and Jane. As we are run businesses that complement each other, I hope we will be meeting again very soon. That's what networking is about, for me. Not sales, sales, sales, but the amazing alliances that can grow from informal conversations.

The second event was 4Networking Stevenage's breakfast. I am not an impartial judge of this one, as I am a member and help to run this group. I joined because of the energy and openness of the network members, as well as the lack of stuffy rules of the organisation as a whole. Whilst there is a meeting structure, it is designed to be flexible and not restrictive. I have found my membership to be inspiring, profitable, sociable and motivating. Not bad, really!

The final networking activity of the week was a coffee meeting of the St Albans branch of Women in Business Network. Unfortunately I only arrived for the last half hour (various small incidents delayed me) so I can't really give a full review. It was an informal session over coffee in a pub/hotel. The group were very friendly and I had a very interesting chat with Kasia. Again, I can see collaborations being good for us both.

If you run or promote a business, then you really should be networking. You'll find support, suppliers, alliances, allies, friendship, fun - and maybe even customers! But don't make find new customers your sole goal, or you'll lose out on everything else.